WASHINGTON, DC - In advance of President Obama's signing of an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay employees $10.10 per hour, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

Today's action by the president is a welcome step toward raising wages for employees who work for federal contractors. For too long, these workers - including janitors, security officers and many service sector jobs - have been paid poverty wages that can't support a family. This raise will enable them to have a little more money in their pockets that they can spend on groceries, rent, gas and other essentials. As with any wage increase, more consumer spending will also boost our economy.

"While this executive order represents good progress, more can be done to reform the system that the federal government uses to hire outside contractors. Too many companies that have contracts with the federal government habitually violate federal labor laws by allowing unsafe working conditions, withholding pay from their employees and otherwise not acting in the taxpayers' best interests. We hope the president considers taking additional action that prevents companies that break the law from receiving federal contracts.

"Bills to raise the federal minimum wage exist in both chambers of Congress. But when American jobs and livelihoods depend on getting something done, the president shouldn't have to wait for Congress. That is why we fully support President Obama's leadership on this issue and hope that he continues to take action to hold federal contractors accountable."

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